Feel Good Riding

8:00 AM-10:30 AM (approx.)
Triathlon Lab: Long Bike.
Total time: 2:15:42.
Distance: 30 miles or so.
Avg. HR: 125 (67%)
Max: 186 (99%, if it’s accurate, though I doubt it!)

Incredibly fun workout! New bike, new shoes, new speed, new attitude. I was right with the leader all the way up to the most remote spot: the radar domes, which Lloyd and Robert said, O, Eric will get there, or No one will get there. Well, I DID get there—I was right with Eric and probably could have smoked him but stuck alongside him out of companionship. Eric, however, smoked ME on the way back—mostly descending, which he may be a little better at—must practice my fearlessness. The trail up to the dome and the switchbacks below are very steep; I was hitting 35 mph or so going down them—and very exhilarating to ride. Eric got ahead of me on those and basically was gone, finishing a few minutes ahead of me. But I was a strong second, ahead even of the entire group that turned around early save one! So Eric and I really outdistanced everyone by a longshot. Plus I stopped to verify directions, slowing me down even more. Anyway, the point is that the new bike made the difference for me, putting me virtually neck and neck with the top cyclist in our group. Peter wasn’t there today, but I suspect I could have at least kept pace with him—though he’s definitely a strong guy. Aside from my competitiveness, which is definitely in evidence—I also just felt good riding. Really fun, exhilarating, great time overall. Must do Griffith this week!! Probably more than once, unless I do hills again up in Hollywood. I think I have to take tomorrow off. I’ve been going for four days now—time maybe for a break? I don’t know. Swim workout next Saturday with the Tri lab, so maybe I’ll limit my swims to one this week. One swim, two runs, two bikes before next Saturday. Maybe I’ll do a bike-run brick one day? Hell, I don’t know how I’m going to play it. I want to take it kind of easy, actually—this week was a great workout week! Lots of breakthroughs. Maybe I’ll ease off a little. Less time overall. Gotta find ways to keep up the core work even though I’m not going to the gym.

Monday: Run
Tuesday: Swim
Wednesday: Bike
Thursday: Run/Bike Brick (?)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Swim w/Lab (apparently, lots of yardage)
Sunday: Run/Bike Brick